Nikon Z6 vs Sony A1

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Nikon Z6 vs Sony A1

35mm 858.0mm²
24.5 megapixels
ISO 100 - 51,200

Go in depth with our full Nikon Z6 Review.
How does it shoot? Nikon Z6 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the Z6.
Compare Nikon Z6 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Nikon Z6 conclusion.

35mm 861.6mm²
50.1 megapixels
ISO 100 - 32,000

Go in depth with our full Sony A1 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the A1.
Compare Sony A1 image quality against competitors.

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Differences

Nikon Z6 advantages over Sony A1

Less expensive
$1899 vs $6498*
Save money for lenses or accessories
Bigger pixels
~ 5.94 vs 4.16 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
More dots on screen
2100k vs 1440k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
Higher extended ISO
204800 vs 102400 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Sony A1 advantages over Nikon Z6

Slower slow-motion
240 fps vs 120 fps
Supports slower slow-mo
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Longer video battery life
150 vs 85 minutes
Capture more video
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

530 vs 380 shots
Capture more photos
Higher max flash sync
1/400 vs 1/200 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
Newer
3 years vs 5 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
More viewfinder magnification
0.90x vs 0.80x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
More pixels
50.1 vs 24.5 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Dual card slots
Yes vs No
Gives you more storage flexibility
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Faster JPEG shooting
30.0 fps vs 12.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
165 vs 47 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
20.0 fps vs 12.0 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
155 vs 35 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/32000 vs 1/8000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

Focus peaking
Both provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Both provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Shoot 4K video
Both provide
Make sure you have a fast computer
Touchscreen
Both provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Tiltable Screen
Both provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
Built-in Bluetooth
Both provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
On-sensor phase detect
Both provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
External Mic Jack
Both provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Headphone jack
Both provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
Slow-motion videos
Both provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

Common Weaknesses

Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
Internal flash
Neither provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read Z6 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read A1 User Reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon Z6

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 24-70mm f/4 S lens
Kit with 24-70mm lens and FTZ adapter

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony A1

Body Only

Review Excerpt

Great image quality; Terrific high ISO performance; Fast AF speeds; Eye AF; Swift 12fps burst shooting; In-body image stabilization; High-quality 4K video; Robust build quality; Familiar Nikon design.
Single XQD card slot; Default high ISO NR a bit strong; No 4K 60p; 1/200s x-sync speed; Limited native lens selection (at this time).
Read our Nikon Z6 Review

We haven’t finished our review of the Sony A1, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.
Read our Sony A1 Shooter's Report

The Competition

Compared to Sony A7 III

Nikon Z6

Sony A7 III

$1797
35mm

Top deck display
More dots on screen

$1865
35mm

NFC
Higher effective ISO

Compare Nikon Z6 vs Sony A7 III

Sony A1

Sony A7 III

$6499
35mm

Slower slow-motion
Longer video battery life

$1865
35mm

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

Compare Sony A1 vs Sony A7 III

Compared to Nikon Z7

Nikon Z6

Nikon Z7

$1797
35mm

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

$2147
35mm

More pixels
Lacks anti-aliasing filter

Compare Nikon Z6 vs Nikon Z7

Sony A1

Nikon Z7

$6499
35mm

Slower slow-motion
NFC

$2147
35mm

Less expensive
Top deck display

Compare Sony A1 vs Nikon Z7

Compared to Canon EOS R

Nikon Z6

Canon EOS R

$1797
35mm

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1596
35mm

Tilt-swivel screen
More telephoto lens reach

Compare Nikon Z6 vs Canon EOS R

Sony A1

Canon EOS R

$6499
35mm

Slower slow-motion
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1596
35mm

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony A1 vs Canon EOS R

Compared to Canon R5

Nikon Z6

Canon R5

$1797
35mm

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

$3549
35mm

Tilt-swivel screen
More telephoto lens reach

Compare Nikon Z6 vs Canon R5

Sony A1

Canon R5

$6499
35mm

Slower slow-motion
NFC

$3549
35mm

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony A1 vs Canon R5

Compared to Nikon Z7 II

Nikon Z6

Nikon Z7 II

$1797
35mm

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

$2730
35mm

Newer
More pixels

Compare Nikon Z6 vs Nikon Z7 II

Sony A1

Nikon Z7 II

$6499
35mm

Slower slow-motion
NFC

$2730
35mm

Less expensive
Top deck display

Compare Sony A1 vs Nikon Z7 II

Compare Other Cameras?